Synthesis and Evaluation of a Novel Hybrid Polymer Containing Manganese and Iron Oxides as a Sorbent for As(III) and As(V) Removal

Abstract

A new hybrid material containing manganese and iron oxides, dispersed within the polymeric matrix, was synthesized as the sorbent for effective As(III) and As(V) removal. This material was obtained in a one-step process as a result of the oxidation reaction of Mn(II) and Fe(II) with oxidative functional groups of the host polymer. As the host polymer, the styrene–divinylbenzene copolymer containing N-bromosulfonamide groups (−SO2NBrNa) was used. The obtained product was characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurement and scanning electron microscope (SEM) energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS), as well as pHzpc and Fe and Mn content determination. The adsorption experiments showed that pH ∼ 3.3–5.0 was optimal for subsequent removal of both As(III) and As(V), resulting in maximal sorption capacity of, respectively, 13.5 and 14.5 mg g–1. The presence of phosphates in solution adversely influenced the arsenate removal and, to a less extent, the arsenite removal. The sulfate, chloride, a...